HBO went for a tasteful, upbeat-but-restrained tone for the premiere event for In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01, the cable channel's documentary about the World Trade Center attacks. Held at the New York State Theater, the event was also designed to honor former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Organized by Angela Lomascolo, HBO's director of media relations for events and services, the event started with a screening of the film for 1,500 guests, including execs from the cable network and—surprise!—HBO stars like James Gandolfini, Edie Falco and Kristin Davis. After watching the solemn film, everyone headed out for a buffet dinner on the theater's promenade and balcony, where designer Carter Field had the challenge of creating a comfortable atmosphere that was appropriate for the film. His goal: to design "an intimate gathering for 1,500 people," he said.
Field put 15-foot-tall arrangements of dogwood, lilac and peonies on both sides of the promenade's "Circus Women" statues by Elie Nadelman. Rust-colored tablecloths covered round tables set up throughout the room as well as curved tables that Restaurant Associates used to serve the buffet dinner. Field, who has worked with HBO for 12 years, was the chief designer at Floralia before he left to start his own firm, Carter Field Special Events.
Restaurant Associates' buffet included pan roasted halibut with a citrus beurre blanc sauce, ruby yellow and orange carrots with popcorn shoots and a chili cane glaze and Maftoul couscous with wild mushrooms, truffle oil and parmesan. For dessert miniature chocolate cupcakes were decorated with blue and white stars, and cookies were decorated with "I Love NY" in icing.
--Chad Kaydo & Mark Mavrigian
Photos by Judy Lawne Photography
Organized by Angela Lomascolo, HBO's director of media relations for events and services, the event started with a screening of the film for 1,500 guests, including execs from the cable network and—surprise!—HBO stars like James Gandolfini, Edie Falco and Kristin Davis. After watching the solemn film, everyone headed out for a buffet dinner on the theater's promenade and balcony, where designer Carter Field had the challenge of creating a comfortable atmosphere that was appropriate for the film. His goal: to design "an intimate gathering for 1,500 people," he said.
Field put 15-foot-tall arrangements of dogwood, lilac and peonies on both sides of the promenade's "Circus Women" statues by Elie Nadelman. Rust-colored tablecloths covered round tables set up throughout the room as well as curved tables that Restaurant Associates used to serve the buffet dinner. Field, who has worked with HBO for 12 years, was the chief designer at Floralia before he left to start his own firm, Carter Field Special Events.
Restaurant Associates' buffet included pan roasted halibut with a citrus beurre blanc sauce, ruby yellow and orange carrots with popcorn shoots and a chili cane glaze and Maftoul couscous with wild mushrooms, truffle oil and parmesan. For dessert miniature chocolate cupcakes were decorated with blue and white stars, and cookies were decorated with "I Love NY" in icing.
--Chad Kaydo & Mark Mavrigian
Photos by Judy Lawne Photography